Tyler Morton is pleasantly surprised by the amount of football he’s played since joining on loan – and says Liverpool are happy with the progress he’s made.

Morton has been involved in every Championship game since his arrival at Ewood Park and started all but one league fixture since August.

The 20-year-old has become a mainstay of the team under Jon Dahl Tomasson, despite the changes alongside him in recent weeks, with Jake Garrett, Lewis Travis and John Buckley all getting a go in central midfield.

Morton has remained the constant, and while one loanee George Hirst saw his deal cut short and uncertainty over the future of another in Clinton Mola, there was never such question marks surrounding the Liverpool man.

“I had goals coming in on loan, it’s my first loan, so I wanted to knuckle down and get what I could,” said Morton, who this week signed a new-long term contract with Liverpool.

“I wanted to work hard for whatever I got.

“It’s a big shock to play this many games but I’m really happy with getting trusted this much and I’m really happy with how it’s gone.

“Liverpool are happy with my progress, happy with how it’s going and that’s because I’m happy which is the main thing.

“The link between Blackburn and Liverpool is obviously very strong and it’s a good connection.”

Morton’s aims when arriving at Rovers were to help the team win matches and get minutes under his belt, and having just gone past the midway point of the season, he feels both have been achieved.

Only Thomas Kaminski and Ben Brereton have played more minutes than him so far this season.

Rovers return to league action this weekend at Rotherham United having taken a break from league action at the weekend to progress in the FA Cup with victory at Norwich City.

They do so after getting 2023 off to a winning start with victory over Cardiff City on New Year’s Day which cemented their third-placed position in the table.

Rovers have chalked up 42 points in 26 matches to give themselves an excellent opportunity of securing a top six finish, with Morton feeling the team spirit within the camp can carry them a long way.

He said: “It’s a massive opportunity, I think we’ve got a really good group, lots of quality and some depth as well.

“That’s what you need in this league and to be successful.

“You need everyone and I think we’ve got a massive opportunity.

“I think we’ve got a tight-knit group which works in our favour, and we’ve given ourselves an opportunity to do well.

“We can help each other out with constructive criticism because we’re so tight, everyone understands and it’s nice to have a group like that, which works in our favour.”

“I think we’ve got more than enough quality and squad depth to beat any team.”

A positive for Rovers is Bradley Dack who has a run of starts in the side since the World Cup break, scoring in games against Preston North End and Cardiff City.

Morton feels his presence in the side can only be a positive for Rovers, and credited the 29-year-old for his comeback from a second ACL injury.

Morton said: “Dacky is quality, he brings something new to the team that not many players have.

“His technique is quality, everyone knows that and that’s why he’s in the team, and he’s had two really bad injuries and to bounce back from them is crazy.

“It’s amazing and he should be really proud of himself for the way he’s bounced back.

“He’s a fantastic player and brings a lot to the team.

“It’s like a new signing in a way, but his energy around the squad is massive, his character, and he’s loved around the club by all the players and the staff.”

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